The Indonesia U-17 national team is set to play their first Group H match at the 2025 U-17 World Cup against Zambia U-17 at Aspire Zone Field 7 on Tuesday (Nov 4, 2025) at 10:45 PM WIB. This opening match marks a crucial test for Garuda Muda on the global stage.
Under coach Nova Arianto, Indonesia U-17 has undergone solid preparation. After holding a national training camp in Indonesia, the team continued their buildup with several international friendlies to sharpen their play.
Indonesia played three warm-up matches — against Paraguay (1-2), Ivory Coast (0-0), and Panama (1-1). Although they didn’t secure a win, their performance showed progress in both defense and attack.
Zambia U-17, on the other hand, comes in as a strong contender. The African side qualified for the 2025 U-17 World Cup after reaching the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations. They impressed in the group stage with victories over Tanzania (4-1) and Uganda (2-1), and a draw with Morocco (0-0).
Coach Nova emphasized that strong mentality will be key to competing in this tournament.
“Without a strong mentality, it will be difficult to compete against teams like Zambia, Brazil, and Honduras,” Nova said.
The clash with Zambia will serve as an early indicator of Indonesia’s readiness and potential to progress in the 2025 U-17 World Cup.
